Discussions of a density bonus for a proposed rural conservation subdivision near Howey-in-the-Hills have been pushed back by the Lake County Board of County Commissioners, who are seeking clarity on an annexation agreement and intersection improvements for the project.
Located north of Number Two Road and west of the Mission Inn Resort, Orlando-based developer PIB Land is looking to develop the Cedar Creek subdivision on 119.4 acres in the unincorporated Yalaha area.
Developers are allowed up to 86 units based on the acreage of the project, according to Lake County Planning Director Mike Fitzgerald. Project applicant Alex Stringfellow of Stringfellow Planning & Design is requesting a density bonus of 11 units to bring the allowed units up to 97, broken down into 91 65-foot lots and seven 75-foot lots.
The land for the project, currently zoned agricultural with a future land use designation of Rural Transition, allows for the development of a conservation subdivision without the need for rezoning or changing the FLU.
Initially, the proposed subdivision was designed with all 65-foot lots and at least 50% open space — in line with the conservation subdivision concept — and a 100-foot perimeter buffer for privacy, creating a gradual transition between the homes and surrounding areas.
The revised plan adds 10 more acres of open space, protecting 63% of the developable land and qualifying the project for a density bonus of up to 20 units, or a total of 106 homes. According to Stringfellow, developers are only proposing the additional 11 units for a total of 97 homes.
“We really tried to shrink the envelope to where it made sense,” Stringfellow said. “The intent of the rural conservation subdivision is to cluster development in the areas that have the least amount of impact, so that was the outcome of our design process.”
While the developer has already signed an annexation and utility service agreement with Howey-in-the-Hills, commissioners shared concerns about adding utilities to a project with an increased density and requested Stringfellow rescind the agreement with Howey for a better chance at approval by the board.
“From my standpoint, it would have to be no annexation because it would create a domino effect,” Commission Chair Leslie Campione said. “We’re trying to protect the area.”
Campione also said she likes the idea of requiring developers to construct a roundabout that would reduce truck traffic on Number Two Road.
Commissioner Kirby Smith was clear about his opposition to the project, arguing that the increase in open space is not worth adding 11 extra homes to the project.
“We need to stick to our rules. If it’s Rural Transition, then we should stick to Rural Transition,” he said. “It’s 50% open space, let’s build to that and be done with it.”
In order to give the developer and applicant time to adjust their plans, commissioners agreed to table discussion of Cedar Creek until May 5.
Headed west about two miles up Number Two Road, Orlando-based American Land Development recently received approval for Phase 2 development of Lake Margaretta Estates.
Plans for Lake Margaretta Estates Phase 2, approved last month by the Leesburg City Commission, include up to 75 detached single-family homes on 25 acres.
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